Remote control storage assembly

ABSTRACT

A storage assembly includes a base and a holding structure supported by the base. The holding structure has protrusions extending from an outer surface thereof, and the protrusions each include an outer surface and side surfaces. The protrusions are positioned around the outer surface of the holding structure so that areas between the side surfaces form spaces for holding a number of devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storage assembly and, in particular, a storage assembly for locating and organizing remote controllers.

2. Brief Description of Related Developments

Present day home entertainment systems generally include a television, DVD player, and an audio amplifier. These systems may include other components such as a cable television interface, a satellite television interface, an equalizer, compact disk player, video cassette player, etc.

Most home entertainment components may be controlled remotely using remote controllers which operate by transmitting a beam which is received by the component. As a result, a particular home entertainment installation may include multiple remote controllers, one for each component. When using the home entertainment system, locating the proper remote controller for a particular component can be cumbersome as they tend to become dispersed around the room or place in which the home entertainment components reside.

In addition, a person using the home entertainment system may carry a number of personal electronic devices, such as a mobile phone, pager, MP3 player, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. It may be uncomfortable to sit and view or listen to program material while carrying such devices on one's person. However, removing the devices and placing them on, for example, a table, may make the devices difficult to locate when needed.

It would be advantageous to organize, centrally locate, and to provide convenient access to the personal electronic devices and remote controllers a person may want to use in a particular location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a storage assembly that includes a base and a holding structure supported by the base. The holding structure has protrusions extending from an outer surface thereof, and the protrusions each include an outer surface and side surfaces. The protrusions are positioned around the outer surface of the holding structure so that areas between the side surfaces form spaces for holding a number of devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an assembly according to the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows schematic top view of the assembly;

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of a shaft of the assembly; and

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to FIG. 1, a storage assembly 100 incorporating features of the present invention is illustrated. Although the present invention will be described with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, storage assembly 100 generally includes a holding structure 110 supported on a base 115. The holding structure 110 includes protrusions 120 that operate to locate and hold a number of devices 125, for example, the remote controllers or personal electronic devices 125 mentioned above. The protrusions 120 generally include an outer surface 123 and side surfaces 135, and are positioned around an outer surface 130 of the holding structure 110 so that areas between the side surfaces 135 form spaces 137 for holding the devices 125. The protrusions 120 may be shaped and positioned so that the spaces 137 are rectangular.

The holding structure 110 may also include a power interface 210 (FIG. 2) for one or more of the devices 125 that provides power to the devices 125 for operating or recharging. In one embodiment, the power interface 210 may include a power connector that mates with a corresponding connector on a device as the device is held by the one or more protrusions 120.

The holding structure 110 may also include a communications interface 215 (FIG. 2) that provides a connection to a communications network for one or more of the devices 125. Exemplary communications networks might include, for example, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the Internet, a wireless network, a wired network, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a virtual private network (VPN), etc. The communications interface 215 may include a communications connector that mates with another connector on the device, in a manner similar to the power connector.

One of the protrusions 120 supporting a device 125 may include one or both of the power interface 210 and the communications interface 215 mentioned above. The protrusions 120 may be trapezoidal in shape and may be spaced equidistant from each other around the outer surface 130 of the holding structure.

In another embodiment, the holding structure 110 may also include a lip 140 or shelf that operates to provide further support for the one or more devices 125. The lip 140 may circumnavigate a perimeter 145 of the holding structure.

In another embodiment, the holding structure 110 may have a domed, or semi-spherical shape. A smaller end 150 of the dome may face upward and a larger end 160 may face downward toward the base 115. The protrusions 120 may extend from a curved outer surface 130 of the dome and may be equally spaced around the dome's outer surface 130. The outer surface 123 of the protrusions may have a trapezoidal shape. The smaller end 150 of the dome may include one or more recesses 220 (FIG. 2) or depressions for holding and providing additional accommodations for one or more of the devices 125. The one or more recesses 220 may be rectangular and may have a surface that includes one or both of the power interface 210 and the communications interface 215. The lip 140 may be located proximate a perimeter 145 of the larger end of the dome.

The base 115 generally operates to provide a stable support for the holding structure 110 and to position the holding structure 110 at a predetermined height. The base 115 may be adjustable for supporting the holding structure 110 at a plurality of different heights.

The base 115 may include a shaft 165 and a foot portion 170. The foot portion 170 generally rests on a floor and the shaft 165 interconnects the holding structure 110 to the foot portion 170. The holding structure 110 may include an interface to the shaft 165 in the form of a fastening point between the shaft 165 and holding structure. The shaft 165 may be cylindrical or some other suitable shape.

The shaft 165 may include an adjustment mechanism 175 for locating the holding structure 110 at a particular or variable distance from the foot portion 170, generally in a vertical direction. For example, the shaft 165 may comprise two cylindrical portions, an inner portion 180 and an outer portion 185, that fit together concentrically. The inner and outer portion 185 s may slide with respect to each other such that together they extend to an adjustable length.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the inner portion 180 may include a spring loaded button 310 and the outer portion 185 may include a plurality of holes 315 located axially along a length of the outer portion 185. The spring loaded button 310 may protrude through one of the holes 315, thus positioning the inner portion 180 and outer portion 185 with respect to each other to form an adjustable length. In another embodiment, the inner portion 180 may include an internal threaded area, and the outer portion 185 may include an internal threaded rod. The threaded area may be located to receive the threaded rod and the combination thereof may provide a mechanism for positioning the inner and outer portions with respect to each other. Other suitable arrangements may also be used to position the concentric portions with respect to each other to establish a desired length, and thus locate the holding structure 110 at a particular distance from the foot portion 170.

The foot portion 170 may generally provide a foundation for the storage assembly by providing a stable platform upon which the shaft 165 may be mounted. The foot portion 170 may be disc shaped. If the holding structure 110 is domed shaped, the foot portion 170 may have a diameter at least as large as the diameter 145 of the lower end of the dome. The foot portion 170 may provide a fastening point for the shaft 165, and the shaft 165 may fasten, or connect to the foot portion 170 at a center of the disc.

The holding structure 110 may rotate around a vertical axis. The interface between the holding structure 110 and the shaft 165 may include a bearing arrangement that allows relative rotational movement between the holding structure 110 and the shaft 165. In another embodiment, the fastening point provided by the foot portion 170 may include such a bearing arrangement. In yet another embodiment, the bearing arrangement may be included as part of the shaft 165.

As shown in FIG. 4, the storage assembly 100 may include one or more cables 410 for providing power to the power interface 210 and for providing a link between the communications interface 215 and a network. The cables may connect the power interface 210 to a power supply 420 for providing particular voltage, current or power to the power interface as may be required by a device 125. The circuitry 420 may also be connected to a mains supply (not shown)

In one embodiment, the diameter 145 of the larger end of the dome shape and the diameter of the foot portion 170 may both be approximately 13 inches, and the storage assembly may have an overall height of approximately 25 inches. The components of the storage assembly may be made of any suitable material. In one embodiment, the components of the storage assembly may be made of brushed aluminum.

As described, the storage assembly of the present invention generally operates to organize and provide a known location, as well as an interface to external connections, for devices 125 that may be easily be misplaced. The height of the assembly may be adjustable and may rotate to provide convenient access to the devices 125 placed in the assembly.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A storage assembly comprising: a base; and a holding structure supported by the base having protrusions extending from an outer surface of the holding structure, wherein the protrusions each include an outer surface and side surfaces, and are positioned around the outer surface of the holding structure so that areas between the side surfaces form spaces for holding a plurality of first devices.
 2. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the protrusions are shaped and positioned so that the spaces are rectangular.
 3. The storage assembly of claim 1, further comprising a lip located proximate a perimeter of the holding structure that operates to support one or more of the plurality of first devices.
 4. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the holding structure comprises a dome having a small end facing upward and a large end facing downward.
 5. The storage assembly of claim 4, wherein the protrusions extend from an outer surface of the dome.
 6. The storage assembly of claim 5, wherein the outer surfaces of the protrusions are trapezoidal.
 7. The storage assembly of claim 5, wherein the protrusions are equally spaced around the outer surface of the dome.
 8. The storage assembly of claim 4, wherein the small end of the dome comprises a recess for holding a second device.
 9. The storage assembly of claim 8, wherein a surface of the recess includes a power interface for providing power to the second device.
 10. The storage assembly of claim 9, further comprising a power supply connected to the power interface.
 11. The storage assembly of claim 8, wherein a surface of the recess includes a communications interface for connecting the second device to a communications network.
 12. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the side surfaces includes a power interface for providing power to one of the first devices.
 13. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the side surfaces includes a communications interface for connecting one of the first devices to a communications network.
 14. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a shaft connected to the holding structure and a foot portion connected to the shaft.
 15. The storage assembly of claim 14, wherein the shaft comprises a height adjustment mechanism.
 16. The storage assembly of claim 14, wherein the foot portion is disk shaped.
 17. The storage assembly of claim 14, further comprising a bearing arrangement attached between the shaft and the holding structure for allowing the holding structure to rotate around a vertical axis.
 18. The storage assembly of claim 14, further comprising a bearing arrangement attached between the shaft and the foot portion for allowing the holding structure to rotate around a vertical axis. 